A coin chain (nizalka), Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

A coin chain, a 'nizalka'. The coins are Bulgarian and Serbian, dated between 1882 and 1938, and are suspended together with filigree amulets from a heavy silver chain, and secured onto the upper sash by three decorative hooks, the central one having the Serbian royal coat of arms and the two outer made of silver filigree work. Part of the bride's dowry, and worn also on festive occasions.

Text from Eth Doc 1892, no. 85L: A coin chain, a 'nizalka'. The coins are Bulgarian and Serbian, dated between 1882 and 1938, and are suspended together with filigree amulets from a heavy silver chain, and secured onto the upper sash by three decorative hooks, the central one having the Serbian royal coat of arms and the two outer made of silver filigree work. Part of the bride's dowry, and worn also on festive occasions. The Mijaks were a matriarchal society of Albanian descent.
Religion: Macedonian Orthodox. For other parts of this attire see: 127: jacket; 128: shirt; 129: bridal sleeves; 130: waistcoat; 131: coat; 132: upper sash; [135: socks;] 136: silver buckle; 137: head decoration.Information supplementary to Eth Doc:
For a detailed description of how this item was worn as part of a whole costume from Galićnik, see Eu1997,04.131., see Eu1997,04.131. For a late 19th century illustration of a Mijak bride, see G. Zdravev, 'Macedonian Folk Costumes I', Skopje 1991, col. pl. 14.
The Bulgarian 100 Leva cloins on this belt date from the reign of King Boris III (1918-34). They were probably mounted on the chain once they had become obsolete, after 1943. Edith Durham described a young Macedonian bride with similar coin-chain in 'The Burden of the Balkans' (1905) p. 150: A silver waist clasp and strings of obsolete Austrian kreutzers, roughly silvered, gave her an air of importance. But the poor thing . . . was not even allowed to sit down without permission.'